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Jozy Altidore set to complete Sunderland switch

Altidore’s long-rumoured transfer from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland has been agreed and is on course to be finalised Monday, sources close to the situation told ESPN.

Sunderland have been chasing Altidore for weeks after the United States national team striker became the first American to score more than 30 goals in a European season in helping AZ win the Dutch Cup.

MLSSoccer.com reported that Altidore’s personal website confirmed the move, but that post has been removed from Altidore’s site. It originally said the deal’s financials have been agreed, with a medical set for Monday, according to MLSsoccer.com.

ESPN has been told Sunderland have already seen two bids rejected by AZ, with the club understood to want between €8-10 million for the striker.

Altidore has blossomed into one of Europe’s most coveted transfer targets after two successful seasons at AZ Alkmaar, where former US international Earnie Stewart works as director of football.

Altidore scored 31 goals in all competitions in 2012-13 and helped AZ to its first Dutch Cup triumph in 31 years.

He has also scored in his past four appearances for the US national team, including goals in crucial World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica, Panama and Honduras.

Altidore spent the 2009-10 season in the Premier League at Hull City on loan from Villareal but managed only one goal in 28 appearances.